Harry Potter positives, negatives to be discussed
Sam Bohne/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: News
Three-headed dogs, curses, werewolves, dark figures that suck one's soul and snakes that can kill with a single look.
Shining through these shadows are tales of courage, friendship and bravery. All of these elements make up parts of the controversial Harry Potter series.
The event The Two Sides of Harry Potter will explore the positives and negatives surrounding the series at 4:30 p.m. today in Room 4440 of the Booth Library.
Jocelyn Tipton, Dean of Library Services, will share opinions of both sides of the controversy.
"The Harry Potter series ranks as the number one most challenged book series of the 21st Century," Tipton said. "There have been challenges to the Harry Potter books in over a dozen states, according to the American Library Association."
Tipton will leave it up to the readers to form their own opinions of the books during her discussion.
"I remain unbiased about books. I let the reader take from the books whatever they want," Tipton said. "Everyone has the right to read or not read whatever they want and formulate opinions about all media."
Some readers believe the "Harry Potter" series teaches good values while others believe that the series has a negative impact on young readers, teaching witchcraft and wizardry.
"The Harry Potter series is both a world-wide phenomenon that has encouraged reading and bridged cultures, while at the same time drawing controversy over its promotion of witchcraft and divination," Tipton said.
Part of the controversy over the Harry Potter series covered in today's event will be whether or not Harry Potter should be allowed in public school libraries because of its focus on witchcraft.
"I believe that individual libraries, in partnership with their patrons, are the ones that should determine that for themselves based on their users and the community they serve," Tipton said. "No one person or group should be able to determine what everyone can and can't read."
Also presenting is Ann Brownson, faculty member of Booth Library. She has declared herself pro-Potter.
"I like them, both for their literary quality for young people and that the popularity of the series has encouraged young people to read," Brownson said.
Much of the "Harry Potter" controversy is over religious beliefs against witchcraft.
"My religious beliefs encourage me to keep seeking after truth and not simply repeat what my spiritual elders have said," Brownson said.
Tipton said people often choose a side without fully understanding the other point of view.
"This program will help each side understand the other based on the information provided," Tipton said. "They may also discover that there is common ground that can be reached and that the differences of opinion can have a positive influence on their own beliefs."
The Two Sides of Harry Potter event will be the last in a series of Harry Potter programs.
The Booth Library has hosted many events, such as this one, in order to make readers think.
"Hopefully, we've provided an opportunity for people to see Booth Library as more than just a building of books and computers." Tipton said.
Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or
DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
Shining through these shadows are tales of courage, friendship and bravery. All of these elements make up parts of the controversial Harry Potter series.
The event The Two Sides of Harry Potter will explore the positives and negatives surrounding the series at 4:30 p.m. today in Room 4440 of the Booth Library.
Jocelyn Tipton, Dean of Library Services, will share opinions of both sides of the controversy.
"The Harry Potter series ranks as the number one most challenged book series of the 21st Century," Tipton said. "There have been challenges to the Harry Potter books in over a dozen states, according to the American Library Association."
Tipton will leave it up to the readers to form their own opinions of the books during her discussion.
"I remain unbiased about books. I let the reader take from the books whatever they want," Tipton said. "Everyone has the right to read or not read whatever they want and formulate opinions about all media."
Some readers believe the "Harry Potter" series teaches good values while others believe that the series has a negative impact on young readers, teaching witchcraft and wizardry.
"The Harry Potter series is both a world-wide phenomenon that has encouraged reading and bridged cultures, while at the same time drawing controversy over its promotion of witchcraft and divination," Tipton said.
Part of the controversy over the Harry Potter series covered in today's event will be whether or not Harry Potter should be allowed in public school libraries because of its focus on witchcraft.
"I believe that individual libraries, in partnership with their patrons, are the ones that should determine that for themselves based on their users and the community they serve," Tipton said. "No one person or group should be able to determine what everyone can and can't read."
Also presenting is Ann Brownson, faculty member of Booth Library. She has declared herself pro-Potter.
"I like them, both for their literary quality for young people and that the popularity of the series has encouraged young people to read," Brownson said.
Much of the "Harry Potter" controversy is over religious beliefs against witchcraft.
"My religious beliefs encourage me to keep seeking after truth and not simply repeat what my spiritual elders have said," Brownson said.
Tipton said people often choose a side without fully understanding the other point of view.
"This program will help each side understand the other based on the information provided," Tipton said. "They may also discover that there is common ground that can be reached and that the differences of opinion can have a positive influence on their own beliefs."
The Two Sides of Harry Potter event will be the last in a series of Harry Potter programs.
The Booth Library has hosted many events, such as this one, in order to make readers think.
"Hopefully, we've provided an opportunity for people to see Booth Library as more than just a building of books and computers." Tipton said.
Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or
DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
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